Over 80's car insurance

perfect10

Any advice on this?
My dad has just had his renewal through, it has risen front £500 last year to £700 this year, can only presume it is because he will turn 80 in a few months.

He has driven all his adult life and never once made a claim, he has no health issues and only does about 5000 miles a year. He does drive a big car but doesn't want to downsize it.

Done a quick comparison and all quotes seem pretty steep!

paddyandstumpy

Is he with one of the 50+ brokers? Saga, Rias, Age Concern or the like?

If he's been with the same broker or insurer for a few years they are probably charging over the odds due to complacency and trust in the brand. The biggest are the worst for this, I've seen some commissions taken by these companies that would make eyes water.

Turning 80 will limit the market for him, but aged 79 I wouldn't have thought too many insurers will drop out.

All you can do is check the main comparison websites, those not on them (like Direct Line or Aviva) and do some shopping around.

whitewing

Don't do a quick comparison.

Follow the MSE main site guide. I knocked £100 off my (smaller) renewal quote by doing that.

ETA: I'm nowhere near 80 though! (First time all week that I feel young)

perfect10

paddyandstumpy wrote: »

Is he with one of the 50+ brokers? Saga, Rias, Age Concern or the like?

Thanks - Saga come in at a whopping £839 but Rias is just above £600 so at least a start, Still far too much in my opinion when he only paid £500 last year. I will keep searching for better deals!

paddyandstumpy

Avoid Saga if you can. I've got a strong dislike for the way they operate but that is just my personal opinion.

Unfortunately the insurance will increase year on year now, given his age.

Be_Happy

OH aged 87 has insured with LV= for several years. Compare at each renewal and price is competitive. Found that other insurers (especially SAGA) give big discount on taking out, but very large increases each renewal, but have found that LV= annual rises are very reasonable.

Try getting a quote from them (although we have a small car, so big car price may be less competitive).

teddysmum

Be_Happy wrote: »

OH aged 87 has insured with LV= for several years. Compare at each renewal and price is competitive. Found that other insurers (especially SAGA) give big discount on taking out, but very large increases each renewal, but have found that LV= annual rises are very reasonable.

Try getting a quote from them (although we have a small car, so big car price may be less competitive).

Saga seems to vary a lot.


My sister was with them for a number of years, but when she replaced a two year old Mazda M5 with a new one, her policy shot up, so she left. Ours has stayed fairly constant, but they refused to offer a quote on our Punto Sporting (very odd, as my sister's car was much more powerful and she has past claims).

DigForVictory

The other trick might be to switch to a vintage vehicle & consequent insurers, if the annual mileage is sufficient & the mechanical matters can be adequately cared for?
Trust SAGA as far as you can throw them.

perfect10

Be_Happy wrote: »

OH aged 87 has insured with LV= for several years. Compare at each renewal and price is competitive. Found that other insurers (especially SAGA) give big discount on taking out, but very large increases each renewal, but have found that LV= annual rises are very reasonable.

Try getting a quote from them (although we have a small car, so big car price may be less competitive).

It was LV who hiked the price up to £700 in the first place. Maybe the big car? Age UK seem to be coming in at the most reasonable and being a member of Quidco he would get a further £30 cashback!

Thanks for the responses.

mattk_180

DigForVictory wrote: »

The other trick might be to switch to a vintage vehicle & consequent insurers, if the annual mileage is sufficient & the mechanical matters can be adequately cared for?
Trust SAGA as far as you can throw them.

Classic car policies tend to have strict age limits and usually require the policyholder to have a main daily car in addition to the vintage car being insured, granted not in all cases however. The OP did say that his dad didn't want to change the car though.


Glad you managed to find some better quotes OP :beer: